"Thank you for providing such a valuable service. I have been utilizing your portable ultrasound services for 13 years and am extremely satisfied with the level of service provided by your staff. I will be sure to recommend you to my peers."
Dr. B.
General Practice
Selden, NY

"Our experience with Rapid Diagnostics has proven them to be a company that I can highly recommend. My patients appreciate the convenient and familiar surroundings of having testing done in my office. Their technicians and office staff are prompt, courteous and most importantly, always professional. They are a valuable part of my practice and let us order all our testing from one source, with a high standard of care."
Dr. Z.
Family Practice
Staten Island, NY

"For more than six years I have been using Rapid Diagnostics for all of our office diagnostic testing. My patients appreciate the comfort and ease of diagnostic testing done in our office. Our practice recognizes the value of retaining and supervising patient care rather than referring them elsewhere. Rapid's staff, both technicians and office, are friendly and provide superior customer service. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to any physician."
Dr. S.
Internist
Valley Stream, NY

"Rapid Diagnostics has been a major contributor to our patient retention efforts. Their professionalism and dedication have been a great help in maintaining the high standards of patient care we strive for. Our patients are more comfortable when they can have all their diagnostic testing done in our office. Rapid's support staff and technicians care about our practice and value our relationship."
Dr. A.
Internal Medicine Practice
Staten Island, NY

Services

Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound

An abdominal aortic ultrasound is a noninvasive exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to visually evaluate the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body that carries blood away from the heart. This test determines if there are blockages, narrowing or aneurysm (an enlargement or a "bulge") in the aorta. Ultrasound is used to obtain images of the aorta and the blood flow within.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which involves a weakened, bulging area in the aorta that develops from high blood pressure or infection, can be effectively screened using ultrasound technology. AAA is diagnosed when the aorta expands to over three centimeters in diameter. As the size of the aneurysm increases, so does the risk of rupture. For patients enrolled in Medicare, an AAA screening must be performed within the first 12 months of enrollment.

The Society for Vascular Surgery and the Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology recommends the following courses of action after screening:

No further testing if aortic diameter is less than 3.0 cm;

Yearly ultrasonographic screening if aortic diameter is between 3.0 to 4.0 cm;

Ultrasonography every 6 months if aortic diameter is between 4.0 to 4.5 cm;

Referral to a vascular specialist if aortic diameter is greater than 4.5 cm.

Ultrasound imaging of the aorta is useful for measuring its size to screen for AAA. This test is recommended for men over the age of 60, as well as smokers and patietns with a family history of AAA. If a diagnosis of AAA is confirmed, ultrasound can be used to monitor the condition on a regular basis and determine appropriate treatment methods.

Indications:

Palpable pulsatile abdominal mass

Unexplained lower back pain or abdominal pain

Known extremity aneurysmal disease

Follow-up of a previously demonstrated abdominal aortic aneurysm

Follow-up of patients with history of placement of aortic or iliac endoluminal graft

Abdominal Ultrasound

An Abdominal Ultrasound is performed to visually evaluate abdominal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts, abdominal aorta and spleen, to help detect a wide range of conditions and also assess blood flow to these organs.

Ultrasound can detect cysts, abscesses, obstructions, fluid collection, clots and infection in the abdomen. In a recent study, the General Practitioner's anticipated patient management strategy was changed for 64% of patients following upper Abdominal Ultrasound. Negative findings are important for exclusion of diseases and, therefore, for reassurance of the patient. Abdominal Ultrasound substantially reduced the number of intended referrals to a medical specialist, and more patients could be reassured by their General Practioner. (Oxford University Journal 6/2007) This study confirms the essential value of abdominal ultrasound in clinical evaluations.

There is no discomfort, risk or radiation exposure with ultrasound. There are some conditions that may interfere with the results of the abdominal ultrasound exam. The most common are severe obesity, intestinal gas and barium in the intestines from a GI series that was performed prior to the ultrasound exam.

Indications for use:

Abdominal pain is the most common indication for an abdominal ultrasound.

Abnormal liver function

Enlarged abdominal organ

Stones in the gallbladder or kidney

Abnormal laboratory results suggestive for abdominal pathology

Search for metastic disease

Palpable abnormalities

Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)

The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive test used to determine a patient's risk for peripheral artery disease, a condition that involves a narrowing of the arteries in the leg and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) uses a Doppler device to detect blood flow within the ankle and arm, and then compares these two results to properly assess a patient’s risk. Blood pressure that is lower in the leg than in the arm may be a sign of a blocked artery.

Recent studies in the AMA Journal recognize the usefulness and value of ABI testing for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk. The study states these tests are under-utilized in routine clinical practice because:

Most clinicians are not aware that a low ABI is a marker of cardiovascular risk

It is perceived as a specialist test

Most clinicians would not know how to perform the test

Our service will accurately perform this test and enable your practice to treat the patient in the most efficacious manner.